Letters from other Amish ask for life for Mullet

BERGHOLZ - Sam Mullet and 15 of his followers may not be coming home to Bergholz any time soon. It's not just federal prosecutors, but other Amish asking for strict sentences.

"My concern is for all decent citizens if Sam ever gets free, he is a dangerous man," writes one, in more than a dozen letters to officials. The greater Amish community believes in forgiveness, but for Bishop Sam Mullet, they have other hopes.

Another writes: "I hope you would never think about releasing Sam Mullet and his sons from jail. He is to [sic] dangerous to be in public."

Other members of the Amish community in Ohio and beyond hope Mullet will spend the rest of his life in prison. Neighboring communities, whose religious values also keep them off camera, told us the same thing: "They still knew better," said an Amish man who told us he's part of the Carroll County community.

"We feel [it] is a cult, and he, Sam Mullet Sr. has them brain washed," wrote another letter.

The five hair and beard cutting attacks the group carried out leave others frightened of what could be next.

"Please keep working on the case, so the children in Bergholz have a chance for a normal life," reads one.

Several people at Sam Mullet's home say they'll be traveling to Cleveland for the sentencing on Friday.

They did not want to answer our questions because they say this experience has left them without trust for the outside world.

There are no mandatory minimum sentences for these crimes, but sentencing guidelines would give each defendant between 210 months to life in federal prison.

Federal prosecutors have asked the Judge to consider five tiers of sentences for those involved, based on their degree of involvement.

They've requested a life sentence forSam Mullet. Prosecutors are asking for 12 to 15 years for Johnny and Lester Mullet, Eli and Levi Miller; 10 to 12 years for Danny Mullet, Lester Miller, Emanuel Schrock.

They've asked for downward variances of only two to two and half year sentences for Linda Schrock, Raymond Miller; and one to 18 month sentences for Freeman Burkolder andthe five Miller women.

There's also the possibility of stacking sentences so more than 40 children are not left without both parents. This could allow some of the women to serve their sentences after others are completed.